Love by description would be to have an intense perception of strong emotions or feelings.
This explanation is dependent on one’s own feelings, but love as God intended it’s a choice, it’s an action word. It’s certainly not an emotion or feeling that you want to accept or prevent but love is the basis of our way of life as Christian believers as well as the foundation of our human relationships through Christ Jesus.
The bible lets us know precisely how to love one another. When we practice these principles on a daily basis with the people we encounter, we could change the world! It’s unfortunate that not everyone wants to change the world but for those who do, these principles from the bible can help us do so. Taken from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love is Patient – Let Us Show Patience
Loving others often requires us to be patient with them. Admittingly, I find myself struggling in this area. I want what I want and when I want. I think this is true for most people especially when we live in a world of instant gratification. God has helped me to personally see myself for the times when I’m being impatient or just need to slow down, and take a step back as to see the whole picture and not just caught up in the moment. Life wasn’t intended to be a rat race and when we rush things, specifically when other people are involved, we tend to do more harm than good. Almost certainly needless mistakes will be made when we rush things and the end result usually are not the one we wanted. Therefore, take a deep breath and invite Jesus to help you embrace patience and learn how to show others what Love is, Love is Patient.
Love is Kind – Be Kind
Kindness is displaying compassion for those around us and not just for the ones we care about. In a world of people who are constantly rushing and on the go, we need to take the time to be kind to one another, even to people we may not know. Simply take a minute and think about the various ways you can demonstrate kindness to the people in your life. You can begin with your own family and make kindness a way of life within your home. Train your children at an early age exactly what it means to consider others and ways to show love and kindness to others.
Love Does Not envy – Give Respect
Love is likewise demonstrated by showing honor to other people. Giving people who are around you respect and honor offers glory to God. You simply can’t give someone honor and respect if you envy or are jealous of them. This was Satan’s downfall. What you say and do (words and actions) truly communicates who you really are inside and you build up people up when you choose to show honor and respect. There are occasions when we are angry that it’s really hard to show honor, however, it’s during those times which we genuinely demonstrate love the way God intended it to be. This is precisely what happens when we restrain our tongue and speak life and positive things into another person. There’s a good reason why the Golden Rule is named what it is. Whenever we treat others the way we want to be treated it pays off for everyone that’s around us.
So what is love? Love is an action, not an experience or emotion and once we receive a true understanding of how God designed us to have interaction and love one another, we’ll begin to change the world one person at a time, starting with ourselves.